I would say that unless he plans on spending a lot of time in the suburbs or exurbs, there really isn't much point. Most of the people he is likely to meet will be fellow transplants, and the culture inside the city of Atlanta is far from traditionally "Southern."
If you do decide to continue, I would suggest something by longtime Atlanta Journal/Atlanta Journal-Constitution humor columnist Lewis Grizzard. He checks both the Southern and humorous boxes with the added bonus of bringing an actual (if quite dated) Atlanta perspective. I remember seeing this one on my grandmother's bookshelf many years ago:
I disagree with your statement but wholeheartedly agree with your book suggestion.
There's always a reason to learn more about culture. What else is there, really? Southern culture, through music, writing and TV has had a huge influence on the nation. Everyone has a reason to read up on it.
My suggestions:
*Anything by Eudora Welty.
*
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
*
Huckleberry Finn. One every person should read again, now that a true "rapscallion" made it to the WH.
*
North Toward Home by Willie Morris. Haven't read
My Dog Skip but it's supposed to be good too.
*Faulkner should be on this list if he's inclined for a deep read. Not for the fain of heart. Maybe a collections of his short stores would be less daunting. Faulkner isn't hard to understand but he has a way of pulling your heart down into your gut, at least he does me. Too close to the bone, perhaps. A collection with "The Bear", "Barnburning", "That Evening Sun" or "A Rose for Emily". Too many. Anything by Faulkner would be great. Reading one chapter of Faulkner would give you more culture ambiance than most other books.
*For easier reading, maybe John Grisham. You can knock one out over a weekend. A
Time to Kill was his first and full of southern flavor. Also
A Painted House and
Bleachers (about HS football), my favorite.
*Should be at the top of the list
The Complete Stories by Flannery O'Connor
So many more.
